Joseph Urso

Certificate Student Profile: Digital Arts

U.S. military vet Joseph Urso was looking to develop professional design skills without leaving his adopted home in Israel. A Digital Arts certificate program gave him a clearer "eye for design" and a new confidence in his abilities that have since translated into a graphic design job with a video company.

1. What motivated you to pursue a certificate program in design?

I had some graphic design work experience about 15 years ago. The work was fun, but all of my design and software skills were self taught. When I decided that I would like to get back into this field as a new career I knew that I needed to upgrade my skills.

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2. Why did you choose an online program at Sessions College?

An online program was the only option for me. I am currently living in Israel and the language was too much of a barrier for me to attend a design school here. The courses offered by Sessions were exactly what I needed and wanted. I enjoyed the Graphics Design certificate program so much that after completing it I enrolled in the Advanced Digital Arts program.

3. What's the most fun about studying digital arts?

The projects! Since each lesson in every course incorporates a design or software project, the practice projects reinforce the text lesson. The instructors are really top-rate and their critiques and suggestions for supplemental learning resources are invaluable.

4. How do you manage program deadlines alongside work, family, and other commitments?

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I was unemployed for most of my time in the program. Even when I wasn't working it still took discipline to keep on schedule and much more so when working. My wife Leah has been very supportive and encouraging too. That helps a lot.

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5. What's the biggest difference you've seen in your work so far?

My software skills have improved a lot, but since it's been so incremental I haven't noticed it so much. The biggest differences seem to be an improved "eye for the design elements" and my workflow seems to be more efficient and productive. My confidence level has really increased also. Now I know: "Hey I have the skills to do this."

6. Goals after graduation:

My goals (like everyone's I'm sure) were employment in the field. I was fortunate enough to start working before graduation as a graphic designer for an English-speaking video production company. Even though I had no video coursework at Sessions, Photoshop and Illustrator are just as relevant in video—and learning all of the Adobe graphics programs at Sessions made the transition to Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects a breeze.

» Go to the Digital Arts certificate program.

Joe Urso made the transition from military servicemember to design professional with a Digital Arts Certificate program.